Romans 1:26

"This is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned agaist the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other." (NLT)

What does God do to those who disobey Him? He let's them do what they want. No only that, he withdraws some of his grace, allowing them to indulge their sin to an even greater extent. This same thing is said in a different way when Paul explains what to do with an unrepentent sinner in 1 Corinthians 5:5.

"Then you must cast this man out of the church and into Satan's hands so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved when the Lord returns." (NLT)

This isn't saying to shun people, as the Jehovah's Witnesses do. In 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 Paul explains that we must still have secular relationships with others. But, unrepentent sinners should be separated from the church, just as God separates them from himself. To support them in their sin would result in our enabling them to continue in their sin, and thus they will be prevented from truly knowing the Lord.

Does this mean we should ignore sin in others? No.

I find using alcoholism as a guide is very helpful. If you have a friend who is an alcoholic, because you love him do you buy him a car so he can get to the bar every evening? That's not a good idea. Doing things that support his alcoholism, even if done out of love, are not the right things to do.

What isthe first step toward an alcoholic's recovery? They need to recognize they are an alcoholic. Will they listen to you if you tell them they are an alcoholic? Sometimes it may happen, but in most cases no, they won't listen.

What is the best thing you can do for an alcoholic? Lead them to freedom from alcoholism by introducing them to a group such as AA--and supporting their continuing participation in this group. What does it take to do this? Sometimes it taken them "hitting bottom" so that the can finally see that they have a problem. And through "hitting the bottom" they are saved.

This serves as an excellent guide in how we should treat unrepentent sinners. We should not support their sin; we should not accept their sin as being right or good; we should not enable their sin; we should not allow their sin to become part of the church. To do these things keeps that person from salvation. We need to allow their sin to convict them until they recognize they are sinners in need of a savior.